Now the moment has come when Android Pay made it to Russia. Official date release in the Russian Federation - May 23, 2017. New way payment has great value, because About 80% of the population has an Android phone. Accordingly, it is necessary to sort out some aspects of the new product.
is a technology that allows you to make contactless payments using an Android phone. To use it, on a smartphone (or other suitable device, e.g. smart watch) is installed special application“Android Pay”, in which plastic cards are “scanned”.
Which banks support this technology?
A complete list of banks and payment systems that support Android Pay. At the time of writing this article, these are 14 banks and 1 payment system.
- Sberbank
- Yandex.Money
- VTB 24
- Binbank
- Promsvyazbank
- Opening
- Rosselkhozbank
- Dot
- AK Bars
- Alfa Bank
- MTS Bank
- Raiffeisenbank
- Tinkoff Bank
- Rocketbank
- Russian standard
How to start using it?
Download the application from Google Play. Download exactly from there, no need to install the application from third-party resources!
Next, add a card. To do this, the application will open a camera through which you must scan the desired plastic card. Then enter the date and CVC code. Wait for an SMS message from the bank and enter the code indicated in it. A test 30 rubles will be debited from you, and after a short period of time, they will be credited back.
Is it safe?
Yes, this payment method is safe to use. There will be no actual linking of real data to any transaction. When paying, new sets of symbols will be generated in the “cloud” each time, replacing real data. The real details are stored on Google servers in encrypted form.
When entering the application, you need to unlock (standard: enter a PIN code, graphic key, etc.), the screen lock is set during installation. In case you want to disable the lock, the data will be erased.
If your phone is stolen or lost, you can block or delete data remotely through the service Android Device Manager.
What is needed for the application to work?
Operating system Android, version no lower than 4.4
Availability of a working NFC chip
Attention! If your device is rooted or has unofficial firmware installed, then there is a chance that the application will not work. The same applies to Chinese phones, purchased, for example, from Aliexpress.
Do you need internet when using android pay?
Another question that interests many is whether Android Pay can work without the Internet? It can, but not for long. The fact is that information about transactions is stored in the Google cloud, in encrypted form. Accordingly, without connecting to the network, Android must use tokens from the phone’s memory. And this, approximately, multiple transactions. As a result, you will be able to pay for purchases several times without connecting, but then the application will ask you to go online.
Android Pay - how to use
The process of using the application itself is very easy: you just need to bring the phone to the terminal and enter the PIN code (for purchases up to 1,000 rubles, you do not need to enter the code, the code will not be requested).
If a payment is made in an online store, you need to click on the appropriate icon (it will be highlighted there), and you will be taken to the application to make the payment.
If there are several cards, then before paying you need to select the appropriate one. Otherwise, the funds will be debited from the default card.
How do you know that payment this way is possible?
Regardless of where you want to make a payment using this method (in a hypermarket or in an online store), you can find out whether this can be done or not by the image of the following button:
Those. If there is such an icon on the terminal or in the online store, then payment is possible.
Pros and cons
Pros
Convenience. Plastic cards can now be left at home; they will not take up space in your wallet. And most people have devices running on the Android system. In addition, you can “hold” several cards in your phone at the same time.
Speed. Slightly, but using the phone, payment will be made somewhat faster than using a plastic card. No need to waste time inserting the card and entering the code. It is enough to bring the phone to the payment terminal (up to 1,000 rubles - without entering a PIN code).
Safety. As stated earlier, Google guarantees that your data will be protected. And the payment scheme itself is implemented reliably.
Telephone. If you lose your device, you need to spend time using the application (for this, it is now better to set a password on your phone). If these were plastic cards, the theft of funds would have occurred faster.
Cons
Charger. If you don’t calculate correctly and the battery runs out before you pay, the only alternative will be cards. And if they don’t exist, then you won’t be able to pay for your purchases. In other words, you are addicted to your phone as a device.
Prevalence. Because The technology is new for Russia, and it has not been implemented everywhere. Some stores will not be able to accept payments from Android Pay. But nevertheless, this problem is gradually being eliminated, and the number of points supporting new look payments are growing steadily.
Cash. In order to remove cash, you need to carry a card with you. Not all ATMs are equipped to accept payments from Android Pay. The problem is temporary. I think that this feature will soon be available at all ATMs.
When paying up to 1,000 rubles, a PIN code is not required. Whether this is a plus or a minus is up to you to decide.
The date of the official launch in Russia of the payment service from Google - Android Pay happened on May 23, 2017! Owners of smartphones running the operating system of the same name are happy and, of course, wondering what devices this service works on.
The list of devices that support Android Pay is quite extensive, and this is its advantage over analogues that focus only on one brand.
Android Pay compatibility with your gadget
Your gadget will be fully compatible with only two components. This:
- Operating system Android version KitKat4 and higher. This version works successfully on models of almost any brand released after 2013. View your version operating system You can go to “Settings” by selecting the “Device Information” sub-item. Read more about this here.
- The developer version of Android won't work either.
- The next point will be the presence on your or another Android gadget of a module that is responsible for contactless data transfer (NFC module). If you don’t know for sure whether such a function exists on, say, a phone, you can find out more information in its technical specifications. In addition, on some smartphones and tablets, the contactless data transfer function must be enabled additionally in the settings. Read about that in our article.
- You do not have to have a rooted smartphone. Also, Android Pay cannot be installed on a smartphone with an unlocked bootloader. In this way, Google strives to protect customers from scammers: devices with an unlocked bootloader are less secure. For more information, see our information. Anything is possible 😉
- Should not be installed on the phone samsung app MyKnox.
- The device must be certified by Google.
And there are also some phones that seem to be suitable, but nevertheless you will not be able to use the payment service on them:
- Samsung Galaxy: Note III, Light, S3
- Elephone P9000
- Evo 4G LTE
- Nexus 7 (2012)
Well, that’s all, you’ll agree – a little. Today, there are about 40% of Android gadgets with the appropriate characteristics. That is, except for almost any smartphone or tablet latest generation, the service can be downloaded, for example, to a phone released in 2014. And they can do so at any retail outlet where contactless payments are accepted, and there are a great many of them today. If you want to know, go to the corresponding article.
The mobile payment service Google Pay (formerly Android Pay) became available in Russia from May 22, 2017, unlike its competitors Samsung Pay and , which appeared on Russian market mobile payments a year earlier (autumn 2016). However, it turned out to be very popular, and quickly began to “win a place in the sun”, since it is available for numerous smartphones running on Android based, and equipped with an NFC contactless payment chip (abbreviated from the English Near Field Communication). By the way, today not only expensive but also budget phone models are equipped with such chips. Competitors of the Google service work only with expensive flagships, despite the fact that the operating principle of all three payment platforms is almost the same.
In the review, we will describe in simple and accessible language how the free Google Pay payment system works, how you can connect it, how to use it, and talk about various interesting nuances of using this modern technology.
Google Pay (Android Pay). What is this? How does it work? Speed, convenience, security, and all for free
Tokens and payment tokenization
The Google Pay system, like its famous competitors, is based on the so-called payment tokenization technologies, which itself is implemented on the basis of the IPS (international payment systems) Visa and MasterCard (and soon we expect something similar from). The meaning of the technology is to transfer from the smartphone to the seller and further (details below) tokens instead of card numbers.
A token is a unique combination of numbers that DOES NOT CONTAIN card numbers or other data that can be intercepted.
The token is generated by the payment system and the issuing bank (that issued the card), and is used for further payment. Its effect can only apply to a specific smartphone, to specific type purchases (or even to a specific seller), and it may have a limited validity period (for example, it may only be valid for a few purchases).
In the Google Pay system, such tokens are called virtual accounts. If an attacker intercepts such a virtual account, he will not be able to do anything with it, since his reuse from another mobile device or from another Internet service will immediately lead to blocking of the payment transaction by payment systems.
In the process of contactless payment, tokens are transmitted as a regular request for authorization (read,) with the only difference that an additional link appears in the transaction processing chain - the so-called payment tokenization service (or tokenization service provider). The task of this service is to check whether a token belongs to a specific bank card number (in other words, to decrypt it) and transfer this number to the issuing bank to authorize payment.
The functions of tokenization services, depending on the type of payment system used to pay for the card, are performed by the Visa IPS division - VTS (Visa Token Service), and the MasterCard IPS division - MDES (Mastercard Digital Enablement Service). As you can see, these companies can be trusted.
And to reinforce the material, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the infographic: “How Visa Token Service Works,” taken from the payment system website of the same name.
Well Android Pay's task is as follows:
- request a token from the issuing bank (in other words, tokenize the card);
- save the encrypted card in cloud service Google (on secure servers);
- transfer the token and cryptogram, which acts as a one-time code, to the seller upon payment.
This is where all actions of this service end. In fact, this payment service is a “superstructure” over the data processing technology in the above-mentioned MPS, on which the entire payment infrastructure in Russia and around the world is built.
As Google points out in its payment technology description:
- Google Pay does not process or authorize transactions. The application only tokenizes cards and transfers tokens and other customer information to payment systems.
- Neither the seller nor the buyer needs to change their payment system - for them everything remains as it was.
This “payment add-on” allows owners of Android smartphones with an NFC chip to “enter” all their bank, gift and discount (discount) cards into the Android Pay application on their phone and SAFELY pay with them at regular retail outlets - just unlock the phone, bring it to terminal that supports , and the goods will be immediately paid for from your pre-selected card (the “active” card can be selected in advance). To be sure of support point of sale contactless payment, look for stickers with the corresponding logos next to the cash register:
Payment technology
Below is step by step description contactless payment process, taken from the Google help site (https://support.google.com/androidpay/merchant/answer/6345242?hl=ru).
How to connect?
In order to start using this payment service, you must:
You can add several cards from different banks to the application; do not forget to assign a default card for payment. Make sure that the NFC contactless payment option is activated on your phone (it can be disabled if not needed).
For information: If you add a bank card from a partner bank to Google Pay, you will be able to use all the loyalty programs, bonuses, privileges and protection mechanisms that are provided for it by your bank.
What banks and cards does it work with?
Most well-known banks cooperate with Google Pay:
- Sberbank
- Alfa Bank
- Raiffeisen Bank
- Tinkoff
- Gazprombank
- Binbank
- MTS Bank
- Promsvyazbank
- Otkritie Bank
- AK Bars
- Bank Saint Petersburg
- Rosselkhozbank
- Russian Standard
- VTB24
- Rocketbank
- Dot
The payment service is also compatible with cards of the domestic electronic payment service Yandex.Money (you can add a plastic and virtual card).
Currently, the service supports cards from well-known payment systems Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club (we expect support for MIR cards). The current list of cards that are and are not supported by the service can be found in Google Help at the link: https://support.google.com/androidpay/answer/7397640.
What devices does it work with?
It is noteworthy that this service is compatible with a large number devices. Almost all modern mobile phones, as well as a number of older models based on Android with the possibility of contactless payment will work perfectly with it.
The operating conditions for the payment service are as follows:
- The device must be reviewed and approved by Google;
- Android version no lower than 4.4 KitKat (2013) on smartphones or smartwatches with an NFC chip (NFC function must be enabled);
- the device should not have a developer version of the operating system (hereinafter referred to as the OS) installed;
- The OS bootloader must not be unlocked;
- The device should not have root rights installed, not factory (not original) firmware, and there should be no changes to the factory OS settings. This applies to goods from Chinese online stores: their owners may not even suspect that the new Xiaomi is not equipped with official firmware and will be very upset when they cannot install the application they need.
- The smartphone must not have the Samsung MyKnox app installed (provides additional protection when Samsung work Pay).
Below you can see the models of those devices that are INCOMPATIBLE with Google Pay:
- Elephone P9000;
- Evo 4G LTE;
- Nexus 7 (2012 model);
- Samsung Galaxy Note III;
- Samsung Galaxy S3;
- Samsung Galaxy Light.
As you can see, Google does not provide a limited list of supported devices, but only talks about a number of quite democratic requirements that must be met by the smartphone you choose (although follow the link: https://support.google.com/androidpay/answer/7385877?hl=ru&ref_topic =6224829 you can see a partial list of supported models).
The advice here is simple: buy phones from official equipment suppliers and check in advance whether Google Pay will work on your device.
How to use Google Pay and where can I pay?
Where can I pay?
You can use the function in all stores that support contactless payment (today the majority of such terminals). Pay attention to the corresponding logos or ask the cashier about this option.
You also have the opportunity to pay for goods and services in applications and online stores, where you will see the corresponding signs:
How to pay?
To pay from a pre-installed default (main) bank card, you need to perform a few simple steps:
- Wake up your phone (wake it from sleep mode and unlock it);
- Bring (attach) the phone rear panel to the payment terminal and hold it for 2 seconds, the appearance of a green flag (tick) on the screen will indicate payment (there is no need to download the application - it will download automatically);
- If the payment amount is less than 1000 rubles, then no action is required (similar to a card with PayPass/PayWave). If the payment amount is more than 1000 rubles, then you will need to enter the card PIN code at the terminal or sign the receipt.
Video of the payment process below:
When paying in an online store, just click on the appropriate button (see above).
Some nuances when paying
- For a purchase amount of up to 1000 rubles, it is enough to wake up the smartphone from sleep mode (without the need to unlock), and you can pay for up to 3 purchases in a row (the 4th purchase will require unlocking);
- When Internet access is turned off, you can perform up to 10 operations;
- If you decide to disable automatic screen locking, then for security reasons information about all cards will be deleted - you will have to add all cards again;
- For payment to work, in some cases it is necessary to activate the Android Pay function using your bank card at the bank (by phone or in online banking);
- Judging by the reviews on the forums (including on http://4pda.ru), sometimes payments in the amount of more than 1 thousand rubles do not go through. To do this, you can try changing the blocking method (for example, a pattern to a pin or vice versa). In this case, if, when paying, the phone (application) asks you to enter a PIN code, to do this you need to enter the PIN to unlock the phone (if the appropriate blocking method is used), and not the card PIN code (sometimes confusion arises).
What to do if your phone is lost or stolen?
If you have lost your phone or it has been stolen from you, then you can use the “ Remote control Android" (https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3265955). With it, you can find the device (if it is turned on), block it, or erase all data from it.
You won't be able to launch Google Pay on a locked device. If it is impossible to establish a connection, you have the opportunity to erase all payment data (they are located on secure Google servers). After finding the phone, you will have to re-add all the necessary information to the application.
Since a virtual account number is used to pay for purchases, no one will be able to find out information about your cards, even if the phone is unlocked.
By the way, if the device is not used for 90 days, then information about the added cards is deleted.
Advantages and disadvantages of Google Pay
Google Pay is really convenient and secure system, which is hard to find fault with. But, like everything in this world, it has its pros and cons. Let's look at its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
Convenience and compactness. You can add several payment cards to your smartphone. In this case, there is no need to carry many cards with you, including discount cards. You can always use the card with which payment is most profitable for you (more cashback, additional privileges, etc.)
Versatility and accessibility. Unlike other similar services, Android Pay supports a fairly large number of Android-based devices that meet Google’s quite affordable requirements;
Safety. During payment, the card number is not transmitted - only a token (virtual account) is transmitted, which has no practical value for an attacker. Even if this information somehow gets into the hands of scammers, they will not be able to use it;
No commission. Installation, use and payment using this payment service is completely free for smartphone owners!
Flaws
You cannot withdraw cash from ATMs (more precisely, this operation is only available in those few ATMs that support contactless exchange with devices);
Your payment transactions completely depend on the current state of the gadget and battery. Fortunately, inexpensive portable ones are available today. chargers and models with increased battery capacity;
Judging by the reviews, sometimes errors occur, for example, the application does not install on a new, unlocked smartphone with a licensed OS, or payments over 1,000 rubles do not go through.
The devices do not have a special data protection area for storing bank card information in encrypted form, but all data is stored on encrypted Google servers (in the cloud).
Android Pay – universal program to pay for purchases from any mobile device running the Android operating system. The operation of Android Pay does not depend on the model and brand of the gadget.
Working conditions
- Operating system Android 4.4 or later;
- The presence of an NFC sensor in the mobile device.
NFC sensor
NFC sensor is responsible for wireless communication during the payment process via payment Android app Pay. It helps connect the gadget and the seller’s payment terminal. You can check the presence of NFC in the “Settings” menu of your phone or check in the salon cellular communication from the seller.
Payment application settings
This step by step instructions will help you correctly install and configure the contactless payment service.
1. Activate the NFC sensor. Once you have verified the presence of an NFC contactless connection sensor, you need to activate it. This can be done in the mobile device menu in the “ Wireless networks" You need to find the name “NFC” and check the box next to it. Now your smartphone is ready for contactless data transfer.
2. Download and install the Android Pay app. You can download Android Pay for free in the store Google applications— PlayMarket. The application is installed in the standard way, follow the instructions on the screen. The service may require you to add a fingerprint, code or password. This is a necessary procedure to protect against unauthorized persons using your phone and making purchases. Android Pay can work on finger devices.
3. Add a bank card. Before using a payment service, you need to check whether the banking institution is a Google partner and supports Android Pay. Adding a card is done by clicking on the “plus” button at the bottom right of the mobile device screen. The “Add Card” menu item for binding will appear new card or “Add another card” if you need to enter information about another card.
You can simply take a photo of your bank card. This will simplify the adding procedure, since the application will save its number and other necessary data automatically. The second option is to enter the card details manually. You will need to wait a little while the system checks the data and the ability to use the card in Android Pay.
If everything is in order, a user agreement form will appear on the screen. By clicking the “Accept” button, you give your consent.
If all actions are carried out correctly, the mobile device will request a code to link the card to Android Pay. The code is sent via SMS when you click the “Text message” button. After entering the code from the SMS message, the confirmed bank card is linked to the phone number.
Payment
After activation by SMS code, your phone is ready for contactless payments through terminals in any store that works with the Android Pay payment system.
If you have problems with payment, one of the most popular solutions is to check activity NFC module. More detailed information You can read about how to set up Android Pay on our website.
Recently in Russia Google finally launched its new payment system Android system Pay – pay by phone instead of card. It came to our country with some delay, since it was announced on May 16, and much later than in a number of other countries. In general, Android Pay has been on the market for almost two years, and Russia has become only the 11th country where this payment system has become available. By the way, competitors from Apple ahead Google, having launched its similar Apple Pay service in the Russian Federation last fall. At the same time, Russians got the opportunity to use Samsung Pay, a payment service developed exclusively for the technology of this Korean company.
What is Android Pay and what is it for?
Android Pay is a very convenient and practical thing. Thanks to the application, you no longer need to carry all your bank cards in your wallet. You just need to link them to Android Pay installed on a smartphone or other gadget with an operating system from Google. In the future, you can pay for goods and services using a mobile device in any place where contactless payment terminals are installed. In this case, the Android Pay user will pay exactly as much as indicated on the price tag, since Google does not charge a commission for using this service.
Clients of which banks can already use Android Pay
Now you can connect Visa and MasterCard cards to the Android Pay payment service Raiffeisenbank, Bars Bank, MTS–Jar, VTB24, Sberbank, Alfa-Bank, Rosselkhozbank, jar Tinkoff, as well as the bank Discoveries along with its satellites Rocketbank And Dot. Also partners of the service are Binbank, Promsvyazbank, bank Russian standard And Yandex.Money. However, in this case, only cards can be connected to Android Pay payment system MasterCard. In the future, Google promises to expand the list of banks whose cards can be connected to Android Pay.
Which mobile devices can you install Android Pay apps on?
The Android Pay payment system can be used on all mobile devices equipped with operating systems Google, starting from Android KitKat(4.4) and later. However, it is worth remembering that the smartphone must be equipped with an NFC chip. This technology is designed for wireless data transmission over short distances and is what allows a mobile device to interact with a payment terminal.
In addition, Android Pay will not work if the smartphone does not have the official operating system firmware and root access is installed. The latter allows the user to “dig deeper” into software devices. I don't like Android Pay and the unlocked operating system bootloader. All these restrictions are necessary for the security of payments and to prevent fraudulent activities with the user’s bank cards.
How can I connect a bank card to Android Pay?
First you need to contact Google Play Store and download the Android Pay app from there.
After the application is installed and launched, it will prompt you to add a bank card. Moreover, if the user has previously connected to his personal account to Google any card, you just need to enter the CVV code into Android Pay.
If you are adding a card for the first time, you will need to enter the card number, expiration date, CVV code and owner’s address into the payment service using your smartphone camera or manually. After this, the bank will send the user a verification code, the introduction of which will complete the operation of connecting the card.
Paying by phone is a very simple procedure, just bring your smartphone to the terminal. Where can you pay using Android Pay and what is needed for this?
In Russia it will pay off using Android You can pay in all major retail chains, online establishments, as well as in many other places where there are payment terminals. For example, Sberbank plans to equip more than 1 million such devices with contactless payment systems by the end of this year. It’s easy to understand whether or not you can make a payment using a smartphone - just pay attention to the presence of these symbols:
In order to make a payment, you just need to momentarily bring your turned on mobile device to the terminal. After this, if the operation is successful, an image of the card and a warning about the planned operation will appear on the smartphone screen. Most often, you will not need to enter a PIN code. This operation It will only need to be done if the settings of the bank itself or the payment amount exceeds one thousand rubles.
In case you have more than one card added to Android Pay, you will need to select a basic one, which will be used by default. To select another bank card, before using it you will have to go into the application and inform the device about it.
Android Pay for payments in online stores and applications
Android Pay allows you to make purchases in online stores and pay for services in some mobile applications. To do this you need to use mobile version browser Google Chrome. Now in Russia a similar option is available in Lamoda, OneTwoTrip, Rambler/Kassa, Afisha. When you try to make a payment, the screen will display special button, which reads “Pay with Android Pay.” A little later the date available services will expand - Delivery Club, Kinokhod, Ozon, Yandex.Taxi and a number of other applications will appear.
Bonus in the form of loyalty cards
The Android Pay app also allows you to deposit various gift and bonus cards. Very useful feature, since sometimes the number of such promo cards amounts to dozens. In order to connect such cards, you just need to point your phone camera at its barcode. After this, to benefit from bonus card All you need to do is show it to the cashier on your mobile device. By the way, Android Pay will also prompt the user about nearby stores whose cards are included in the application.
Are payments safe with Android Pay?
In the company Google guarantee that all payments via Android Pay are absolutely safe. The fact is that this application does not use information about connected cards, but transfers only a virtual copy to the seller when paying. However, the real data bank cards are stored on the servers of the Google.
In addition, when Android installation Pay, the user adds protection, disabling which will lead to complete removal all card data. If your mobile device is lost, data from the payment service can be destroyed using special service Android Device Manager.
